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Getting Government to debate Outdoor Centre closures

Someone posted this letter on my website, I thought it so interesting and important that I’d share it with you. If you have a blog or a website then, please re-post it, as the more people than look at it and possibly sign up on the ePetition the better. The letter from the Institute of Outdoor Leanring follows below

One in three Local Authority outdoor education centres are facing closure (some have already closed) which could mean large numbers of young people are denied potentially life-changing experiences, at a time when health, physical activity and contact with nature are all declining. Some children from poorer and disadvantaged groups may not have another opportunity to share a night away from home and visit places they would not otherwise see.

The sad fact is that closure need not happen, in many cases given extra time these centres could become self sufficient. If centres close they may not reopen again.

You can help by signing our petition, set up by the FSC with the support of Association for Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, English Outdoor Council, Institute for Outdoor Learning and National Association of Field Studies Officers. If we reach 100,000 signatures this year the issue will be considered for debate in the House of Commons.

To sign the petition visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26661

To raise awareness of the campaign we have created a short piece of video which you can watch below: